Carling Cup Round 1 vs Colchester United Score: 1-0 loss

Attendance: 2,566

When Gillingham drew Colchester at home in the first round of the Carling Cup many predicted that the cup run would be short-lived.

However, after 80 minutes of last night's entertaining game all neutrals watching would have guessed Gillingham to be the league 1 side if they didn't know any better.

The performance didn't start strongly though when a goalmouth scramble was eventually converted by Colchester midfielder Matt Heath after what looked like a foul on Gills goalkeeping new boy Alan Julian, replacing Simon Royce who missed the game unfortunately due to a virus picked up during the week.

From then on though "The Gills" were visibly on top of the game and pressured the Colchester defence for the rest of the half. The biggest threat on goal seemed to be coming from Simeon Jackson who would run out Gillingham's man of the match by the end of 90 minutes for his constant effort and often successful battle with the two centre backs, both of which seemed to be twice the young forwards stature.

The Canadian striker went close a number of times but chances for "The Gills" despite their constant pressure were few and far between. The pick of these in the first half was squandered by new signing Mark McCammon when after neat link up with Jackson he had his one on one effort blocked by the onrushing keeper and many will say that the shot should have been hit much earlier.

At the start of the second half there were no changes to the 11 and the game began with both sides engaging in a real midfield battle which didn't seem to be going any teams' way. In an attempt to draw the game level a triple substitution was made by Gills boss Mark Stimson on the hour, bringing on attacking players Tyrone Berry the trialist whose cross made last gasp equalizer at the weekend, Gary Mulligan the scorer at the weekend and noticeable crowd favourite Dennis Oli, this was at the expense of McCammon, Southall and Miller.

It was the away side who grabbed the first chance after the substitution when Kemal Izzet was put clean through only to force a blinding save out of Julian whose punch sent the ball sprawling into the travelling supporters much to the delight of the Rainham end, whose support was inspiring throughput the whole game despite their numbers which didn't match that of a league game.

From that point the Gills bombarded the Colchester united defence with all three of the forwards going close late on but it wasn't to be their day as the final whistle blew and the gills were sent crashing out of the cup at the first hurdle.

We hope for much better finishing on Saturday when Gillingham play host to Luton town in what will be their first home league game of the newly underway season.

Jack Thompson
Age: 15

Gills Suffer Early Exit at the Hands of Colchester

Gillingham made an early exit in the Carling Cup tonight after losing 1-0 at home to League One side Colchester United.

The Gills made two changes from the starting XI against Bournemouth, with Alan Julian replacing Simon Royce in goal and Nicky Southall coming back into the side to replace loanee Curtis Weston.

Gillingham started the match brightest and this was made clear right from the off when Barry Fuller had Gills first after just 30 seconds. But unfortunately the full-back blazed his shot over the crossbar.

Mark McCammon then had a golden opportunity to give the Gills an early lead when on 4 minutes he broke through the Colchester defence and was one-on-one with the keeper, but unfortunately hit his shot straight at the advancing Dean Gerkan.

The Gills started the brightest and looked the stronger team, but it was Colchester who broke the deadlock very much against the run of play, when on 10 minutes midfielder Matt Heath headed home for The U's after a goalmouth scramble, in which the Gills blocked several efforts in an attempt to make up for being unable to clear at the far post, but ultimately failed and handed Colchester the lead.

Despite the early setback, the Gills responded well and had a good chance on 13 minutes, when Simeon Jackson broke through the defence and had a shot from the edge of the box, forcing U's keeper Dean Gerkan to make a full-stretch save in order to maintain Colchester's lead.

The Gills then had two more chances with free-kicks on 26 minutes and 30 minutes. Firstly, Nicky Southall hit a shot just wide of the far post following a handball on the edge of the area. Then secondly, after a free-kick routine on the edge of the box, Adam Miller hit a low effort just wide of the far post.

Gillingham then had another chance just before the interval, when Nicky Southall hit a volley just wide of the near post after being teed up by Simeon Jackson.

After dominating large parts of the first half, the Gills eased off in the second and let Colchester start the brighter, with the U's creating several half-chances. And they could've taken the lead on 55 minutes when Anthony Wordsworth had a header on goal, but his effort went narrowly over the crossbar.

After seeing Colchester dominate in the second period, manager Mark Stimson decided to spice things up a bit by making a triple substitution on the hour mark, with Mark McCammon making way for Gary Mulligan, Dennis Oli coming for Adam Miller, and Tyrone Berry replacing Nicky Southall.

Gillingham then had their first real chance of the second half on 65 minutes, when Colchester's Matt Heath conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box after tagging onto Simeon Jackson's shirt. John Nutter stepped up to take the free-kick, but the defender blazed his shot way over the crossbar.

Dennis Oli then had another chance for the Gills on 69 minutes, but the striker hit his low effort straight at Colchester keeper Dean Gerkan.

Colchester then had a golden opportunity to put the game to bed when on 74 minutes Kemal Izzet was sent through on goal, but debutant Alan Julian was not to concede a second as he read where the ball was going and pulled off a fantastic save to push the ball to safety and keep Gillingham in the game.

However, it was not to be for the Gills as they created little more in the final minutes, with Simeon Jackson's shot just wide on 80 minutes being the only real chance of note. And with Colchester happy to play down the clock and wait for a win, Gillingham were condemned to an early exit from the Carling Cup.

By Yoosof Farah, 16

Gillingham v Colchester

Gillingham's first competitive game of the season at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium has seen them crash out of the Carling Cup after a 1-0 defeat by League 1 Colchester United. An 11^th minute goal scrambled in by centre-back Matt Heath proved to be the decider in what was a frustrating night for Mark Stimson's men.

Stimson made two changes to the side's well deserved point at Bournemouth on Saturday. In goal, Alan Julian made his debut replacing Simon Royce, who had fallen victim to a virus. Nicky Southall also came into the side replacing Curtis Weston, whose loan agreement did not permit him to play in cup ties.

For the 2,566 fans who attended, they were able to see summer signing, Mark McCammon for the first time at Priestfield and it only took four minutes for his first effort. Simeon Jackson held the ball well and fed through McCammon to be one on one with the keeper. He took one touch too many and shot straight at the Colchester number 1, Dean Gerken.

The chance proved to be costly as the hosts went behind in the tenth minute. Gillingham's defence failed to clear a free kick at the near post swung in by Mark Yeates. After a scramble in the box the ball fell to Matt Heath who put the visitors in the lead.

The goal did not disrupt the Gills style of play, with the rest of the first half bringing some excellent chances to level the game. In the 13^th minute, Simeon Jackson burst through to be one on one with the keeper. However, Gerken pulled of a good save and tipped the shot over. In the 26^th minute, a free kick on the edge of the box taken by Nicky Southall saw it go inches wide of the near post. Then, just after the half hour mark, Adam Miller skimmed the post after a well-worked free kick with Southall and Nutter.

The Gills kept pressing towards the break and in the 43^rd minute, Southall shot wide of Gerken's near post after a good link-up between Jackson and Miller.

The start of the second half saw Colchester making the better chances to extend their lead. Colchester's left midfielder, Andy Wordsworth headed narrowly over and the 55^th minute saw Clive Platt shoot wide of the goal.

In the 63^rd minute, Mark Stimson made three substitutions. Nicky Southall, Adam Miller and Mark McCammon were replaced by Dennis Oli, Tyrone Berry and Saturday's super sub, Gary Mulligan.

Soon after, John Nutter sent a free kick just over the bar and the Gills went even closer after Dennis Oli sent a tame shot straight at Gerken. At the other end, the U's had a glorious chance to extend their lead when with 16 minutes to go, Kemal Izzet was clean through on goal. But, Alan Julian made a spectacular save to keep the Gills in the game.

The last real chance for the Gills came with nine minutes left when Jackson fired agonisingly over the bar after a good link-up between him and Mulligan.

The Gills next game is against fellow relegated side Luton Town at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday. Despite the result, Gillingham have played some exciting football and should be regarded as favourites for the three points at the weekend. Simon King and Garry Richards coped very well against the former Championship attack and seem to be forming a good partnership at the back.

My man of the match was Barry Fuller. He continued his good form from Saturday and was solid throughout the match. Another good partnership forming is in the centre of midfield with Crofts and Bentley. After watching both opening games this season and a few pre-season games, I have much optimism this year.

The one disappointment so far is with Adam Miller. He seems to be off the pace of the game and I suggest possibly a starting role for Gary Mulligan with his "Dirk Kuyt" style of play. I would also like to see Curtis Weston as he offers more options going forward.

Chris Williamson
Age: 16